Made the 'move' ten years ago... no regrets at all.

Can't believe new bikes are so expensive. And yet while we're supposed to be in the middle of a depression, a quick look at the secondhand bike 'ads reveals whatever bike you want with only a couple of thousand miles on the clock and every imaginable accessory thrown at it. Shows there are still many who can afford expensive bikes as weekend "toys" and put them up for sale once they get bored with them. The move to adventure bikes merely mirrors the car driving publics move to giant SUVs and 4x4s used for the same local journeys as the GSs. Almost any modern bike is capable of huge motorway miles as Charlie Boorman proved on his R1 yet go on any motorway trip and all you see are GS's and other top of the range "adventure" bikes. I think "indulgence bikes" is a better word for them.

Combination of legislation and dealers living in the last century. (by the way car dealers are just as bad bought my last car on the internet - fantastic!). Sadly, for me, the camararderie has gone from biking and we are the baldy greying old farts who started years ago! I Moved to adventure bike 4 years ago and other bikers (mostly on new sports bikes - has to be said) look down there nose at me. Give me a friggin break guys! The track bike sits in the garage until track days when it gets beaten by the latest wizz bang but the grins are all equal. KTM with plush suspension is one of the best 'road bikes' going on our crappy roads and a joy to ride. Owned an RC30, YZF 750' slab sided gixxer 1100 with V&H pipe (ooh the sound!) ZXR750RR (yes the holohate done!) etc etc so love bikes but were did the fun go? Majority of dealer staff know feck all and believe the punter knows even less - fools to themselves and the poor buggers trying to run a bike business.Vic Meldrew